A major piece of legislation backed by President Donald Trump has cleared its first hurdle in the Senate, marking one of the first significant congressional actions following the death of a longtime Republican lawmaker.
The vote comes as lawmakers from both parties seek to carry forward a policy that its supporters say reflects the late senator’s commitment to increasing pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
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The U.S. Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday to advance a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia, legislation now known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 in honor of the late South Carolina senator.
The procedural vote is only the first of several required before the measure can officially pass the Senate.
Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother’s seat following his death, is serving as one of the bill’s lead sponsors.
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“There is no greater way to honor Senator Graham’s legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement,” Darline Graham and a bipartisan group of senators said in a joint statement before the vote.
Lindsey Graham had been one of Congress’ strongest advocates for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
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Before his death, he said he had secured President Trump’s support for a version of the sanctions legislation.
The bill would significantly expand the president’s authority to impose sanctions on Russian government officials, foreign nationals and financial institutions connected to Russia’s war effort.
It also authorizes the president to impose a 500% tariff on Russian imports.
In addition, the legislation would allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing large amounts of Russian oil, petroleum products and natural gas.
The measure also gives the president greater authority to target ships used to evade sanctions on Russian energy exports, often referred to as Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire and one of the bill’s cosponsors, said the legislation is designed to strike at the financial resources fueling Russia’s military campaign.
“This legislation is designed to cut off Vladimir Putin’s most important resource in his war against Ukraine: his money,” Shaheen said on the Senate floor.
While the vote demonstrated broad bipartisan support, it does not immediately send the legislation to President Trump.
The Senate must still approve the measure through additional votes after lawmakers return from their August recess.
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The House of Representatives will also need to pass the legislation before it can reach the president’s desk.
Earlier this year, the House approved its own version of a sanctions and Ukraine aid package after members overrode Republican leadership.
Twelve senators voted against advancing the legislation.
Kentucky Republican Rand Paul joined eleven Democrats in opposition.
Several Democrats who voted no argued that portions of the bill would give too much tariff authority to the executive branch.
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“In effect, this would be a blanket delegation of congressional tariff authority to the executive,” Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said during Senate debate.
The White House has indicated President Trump supports the legislation, which also extends sanctions related to Iran.
The vote took place only hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended Lindsey Graham’s funeral service at Washington National Cathedral.
Following a meeting with President Trump at the White House, Zelenskyy traveled to Capitol Hill, where he met with senators from both parties before observing the vote from the Senate gallery.
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Zelenskyy later described Graham as a “true friend” of Ukraine and thanked the United States for its continued support.
Supporters of the sanctions bill argue that increasing economic pressure on Moscow could strengthen the administration’s leverage as negotiations continue, USA Today reported.
The legislation now faces additional votes in the Senate and consideration in the House before President Trump can decide whether to sign one of the most significant Russia sanctions packages considered since the war began.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
